Brake for airplanes



'Manf h iii 1937i. o. M. BOUNDS 2,074,360

5 [BRAKE FORAIRPLANES I Original Filed Aug. 25, 195g 3 sheets-sheet 1 Ma rch 23, 1937- o. M. BOUNDS 2,0774360 [BRAKE FOR AIRPLANES Original Filed Au -25; 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet z March 23, 1937 o. mqsouNns 2,074,360. BRAKE FOR AIRPLANES v 7 Original Filed Aug. 25, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Mar. '23, 1937 t PATENT. OFFICE 2,074,360 a l BRAKE Fort AIRPLANES Overtori M. Bounds, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Application August 25, 1930, Serial No. 417,543

l Renewed November 27,1934

1 7 9Clai ns. (01,244-11'3) "I,i"1 *hisfinvention relatesito airplanes and has I particularly to do with braking means therefor.

7 M11 as the conventional practice nowadays to em:

ploy brakes in connection with the chassis wheels f 5 of airplanes. 3 While the wheelslare as a rule located forwardly of the center-of gravity of the.

airplane, to keep the plane from nosing over when'it is running on the ground, it is nevertheless a very common occurrence for nosing over V l totake place, when the brakesare applied with exceptional force; 01 course, while a landing may, be made in an, airport or other place in A which plenty of space is provided in which to ,1 bring the airplane to rest, without necessitating 15 tlie abnormal application of the brakes, it happens quite often, as in the case of a forced landing, that ,the area afforded for landingis so i small or contains such obstructions, that the need for stoppingin a very small space is very urgent. It will be appreciated, then, that in order to-bring..the airplane to a rest very quickly,

line IV--IV in Figure 3;

J; in orderto avoid projections or obstructions or the like, extraordinary force must be applied to the brakes. Such application of the brakes 25 causes, in alarge numberof cases, thefront part of the airplane to engage and becomei/im- @flbed ded in the earth, withresultant injuries to f I theairplane and its occupants. i

It is accordingly a principal object of the inl go vention to provide means for stabilizing the air-. plane while it is, running on the ground. A furthierobject resides in the provision of means for braking the' 'airplane, whether it be of the land i 35 Morespecific objects reside in novel operating instrumentalities for these braking andstabilizi ing means, and in-addition, certaintmeans where-. bythe braking or stabilizing devicelissupported i 45 is, to keep the front of the airplane from nosing into the ground. The parachute may be operated a or openedbyf the pilot, either directly, in which i 1 ,1 case the pilot will pull the rip cord, or indirectly,

- in which case the operator puts into motion cer- 50 tain forces in conjunction withthe ground upon which the airplane is moving, resulting in a pull on the rip cord. 1 i

With the construction just provided, it will be apparentthat the parachute will serve not only, 55 to stabilize the plane, but by ireason of the addilonger life of the brakes, and eliminating vention;

tional braking force thus provided, less force need be applied to the brakes, thus making for the hazard of nosing over.

The above, other and further objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description, accompanying drawings and ap pended claims.

This invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully v described, g I

' 0n the drawings: a

Figure I is an elevational view illustrating nrv invention in operation; J I

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the conl5 struction shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken substantially in the plane indicated by the lines III-III of Figure 2, showing in particular a means for pulling the rip cord of a parachute;

,Figure 4 is a view taken as shown by the broken Figure 5 is a fragmentary view taken approximately in the plane indicated by the line VV Figure 6 is'a view somewhat similar to Figure 3,

but showing a. means for actuating and support- 'otherform of my invention;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a still further modification of my in- Figure 10 is a plan view in fragmentary form of the construction shown in Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 6, but

showing another form of mast actuating and supplane at A, having-a. fuselage B on the rear end of which masts I are pivotally mounted at 2 by means of brackets 3. Guy'wires 4 are fastened to the tops of the mastsand to the stabilizer B so as to maintain the masts in proper position. The masts I are connected for movement together by a brace bar 6, and theparachute I in its closed pack is adapted to be supported by this bar and the masts, between the latter.. The parachute may be provided with a pilot as in conventional I practice, 1 7

Operating mechanism is provided for shifting the masts from inoperative to operative position, and serves also to maintain the masts selectively in each of these positions. To this end, a sheave 9 provided with a crank handle I is located in easy reach of the pilot, and is connected for rotation with a rearwardly disposed sheave 9a, by means of a chain I2 and cooperating sprockets. The shaft I3, carried by the fuselage B, passes through the sheave 9a and is connected by chain and sprocket means I4 to a second shaft I5 for rotation therewith. A cable I6, operatively associated with a sheave I I on the shaft I3, is adapted to cooperate with the roller I1, mounted in the upper part of the fuselage or in the wing in a recess II'a. Eyelets I8, provided in the upper part of the masts I are connected by an element indicated at I9, which element, in practice, assumes the form of a pulley. The portion of the cable I 6 passing over the roller I1 is hooked about the element I9, and is returned, its end being fixed to the wing or other suitable part of theairplane, as shown at 20.

Mounted on the shaft I5 is a sheave25, encircled by a cable or the like 22, in cooperation with a roller 24, one end of which cable is connected to the masts I at 23.

A cable 21 is wound about a sheave 2Icarried by the shaft I5; The cable receiving portion 26 of the sheave constitutes what is in efie t a spring motor constantly tending to wind u the cable 22 and take up all slack therein. The cable receiving portion of the sheave 2I is of the usual type rotatable with the shaft I5, and has fixed thereto one end of the cooperating cable 21.

While I have described spring operated instrumentalities whereby to take up slack in the cable 22, it will beappreciated that other forms or constructions may be availed of, such as a roller which may be supportedby the slack cable or a sheave having portions of larger or'smaller diameters, which, upon rotation in one direction, would pay out sufficient cable to permit the masts to stand upright, and upon turning in the opposite direction would wind up the slack created upon shifting the masts to a position of repose as shown in full lines in Figure 6. It will be noted that the same exigency, namely, that of taking care of the slack, arises in connection with the cable I6. The sheave I I is accordingly constructed substantially after the manner of the sheave 25, incorporating a spring motor about which the cable I6 is wound. To be sure, the force exerted by the spring will be sufficiently great to offset the wind pressure againstthe masts I when the latter are upright. As a further precaution, ratchet means may be associated with the wheel 9, including a hand operated spring or other type of release, to prevent unintentional rotation of, the wheel 9.

The above noted instrumentalities operate substantially as follows: The pilot rotates the wheel 9 in a clockwise direction looking at Figure 6, the shafts I3 and I5 turning simultaneously therewith, by reason of the chains I2 and I4 respecspring operated sheaves II and 25.

' tively. The direction of movement of the various masts-l are in an upright position as shown in Figure 6 in"'dotted lines, cables I6 and 22, as set out inthe previous paragraph, serve as guy wires therefor. In this connection, if desired, struts or brace means, fastened to the fuselage, could be mounted at the rear of the masts I to positively prevent the latter from assuming any position to the right of that shown in Figure 6 in dotted lines. In order to return the masts I to inoperative position as shown in full lines in Figure 6, it is necessary merely to rotate the wheel 3 in a counterclockwise direction, the slack in the cables 22 and I6 being, of course, taken up by the spring operated sheaves II and 25. These'sheaves, together with the above noted means for holding the masts I in place when in an upright position, come into play when the masts I are in an inoperative position to hold the same against accidental dislocation.

A portion of the structure'above set forth in connection with the showing of Figure 6, may

take a modified form as shown in Figure 11. In 3 this figure, the chain and sprocket means I4 and the shaft I5 with its attendant sheave and cables are replaced by a simpler construction. In ac- -cordance with this simpler construction, a roller 29 is mounted on the shaft l3. Additional rollers 30 and 3I are fixedly mounted on the fuselage B in spaced relation. A bracket 32, see also Figure 4, fixed to the fuselage, is disposed substantially intermediate'the rollers 30 and 3|. The ends of the bracket 32 support in fixed relation thereto a guide 33, about which a slide 34 is disposed. A cable 35 or the like is cooperatively associated with the rolles 29, 30, and 3|, and is connected with the slide 34 at 34a so that the latter moves therewith. The slide 34 is' provided with a boss or other upstanding portion 36, to which is pivotally conected a link 31, the opposite end of the link 31 being pivoted at 38 to the masts I. It

will be evident that upon movement of the chain I 2 as shown by the arrows in Figure 11, said chain being operated in the same manner as shown in Figure 6, the cable 35 will be caused to exert a pull on the slide 34, moving the latter to the right, thereby forcing the link 31 and the masts I to the right, until the masts I assume an upright position as shown in dotted lines in Figure 11. II is apparent that with this construction no slack take up means for the cable 35 is necessary,

although, as heretofore described in connection with the constructional Figure 6, such means is employed in connection with the cable I6. Reverse movement of the chain I2 will, of course, result in the lowering of the masts I to'theii; position of repose as illustrated in full ,lines in Figure 11. Means substantially as set forth above in connection with the construction illustrated in Figure 6 may be suitably employed in connection with this "modification of Figure 11 for bracing the masts I against the w hd. As an additional feature in this connection, it should be noted that the ends of the guide supporting brackets 32 serve as stops to limit the movement of the slide 34, the right hand stop cooperating with the link 31 to prevent movement of the masts to the right beyond the position shown in dotted lines in Figure -11.

In the form of my invention in which masts are employed, novel instrumentalities are provided for pulling the rip cord to release the parachute. To this end the framework of the fuselage B is provided with a pair of trunnions 39 provided with fixed collars 40 intermediate their ends, said ends receiving for pivotal movement thereon a member II. The member H is rigidly secured for movement with a guide 42 in which is longitudinally movable a slide member 43. The

guide 42 is provided at its upper end with aflxed collar or flange 44 to which is secured at 45 a rip cordor parachute release 46,-the opposite end of which is conventionally or otherwise suit- '\5 ably fastened toa-.parachute,..adapted to be supfemale portion The frameworkof the. fuselage T-shaped member 53 is pivotally mounted. The stem of the T-shaped member 53, indicated at it B is provided with a cross bar 52 upon which a 54, fits into theportion 5|, and has an opening registering with an opening in the portion 5|, a cotter pin55. normally passing through said openings and holding the stem 54 and theportion 5| against separation. With the parts shown in full lines in Figures 3and 4, the springs 48are in an l on the slide tending to move the heads and a a 41; The guide "being limited topivotal move! I ,ment aabout the.trunnion,39, it is evident that,

extended condition and consequently exert a force .125 the-slide 43 must move, if at all, downwardly through the guide .42. A cord or the like 56, in

easy reach of the pilot, is connected to the cotter pin at 51. The spring members 58, suitably connected to the framework, are connected to oppo,- site sides of the guides 42 as shown in Figure 3, and serve to resiliently support the latter against pivotalmovement about the trunnion 39.

The novelmeans just described operates as follows: The pilot pulls the cord or the like 56, with- 35 drawing the cotter pin 5l, whereupon the springs until thebottorn ,of thelatter occupies a position --48Lcause downward movement of the slide 43,

substantially, as showninsdotted lines at 43a in ,40Ishortly before thev airplane reaches the ground."

Figure 3,; Thejcord56 will preferably be pulled .At about the time the landing takes place, the

1 bottom of theslide 43 at 43c will be engaged by the groundand shifted against the actionof-the springs 58 to the position shown in dotted lines 1 .45 atf43b. This shiftingmovernent is possible by 'reasonjof the pivotal mounting of the guide 42 uponjthe trunnions-39. It is evident that in con,-

sequence ofithis shiftingvmovement, the rip cord 46, by reason of itsattachment at 451to the guide I g m be pulled sufliciently -to open the para chute, which will be distendedby the rush of air asthe airplane continuesforward. The resultant braking effect of the parachute is obvious.

In the form of my invention shown in Figures I 9 and 10, a standard 59 is mounted at the rear "-of the fuselage and supports a parachute pack 60 havingv a stream-lined false front 5 I. The pack is provided with the/usual elastic straps 62, which, when released by the rip cord 63, permit the parachute to be opened by the rush of air ,as the airplane moves forward. The rip cord 63 may be operated directly by the pilot, or instrumentalitiessuch asshown in Figure 3 may be employed for i this purpose. f Guy wires 64 connected 'to the front-,6|and the stabilizer 5 on the airplane may be erhployed'to further support the parachute pack 60.

While in the case of an airplane such as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 a single parachute may be sufficient to accomplish the desired results, it may be advantageous, in the caseof a heavier airplane such as illustrated in Figure 8, to employ a plurality of parachutes. The parachutes may be connectedto the wing 65 at points 66, and

springs or equivalent means may be employed in and proportion of parts and equivalents substituted without departing from the spiritand same in cooperation withthe rush of wind; Means may-be provided within easy reach of the pilot for releasing the springs at the desired time.

While the hazards attendant in flying a landplane, insofar as forced landings are concerned,

are perhaps morenumerous than in the case of a seaplane, it is nevertheless possible that under certain conditions the stopping of a seaplane in a relatively short space might be highly desirable.

'I, therefore, wish it understood that while I have illustrated my invention applied to a landplane,

it is equally applicable to a seaplane.

Theffuselage is preferably providedwith a depression. 8 adapted to receive the parachute pack conjunction with the parachute for opening the when the masts lie alongside the fuselage, in order to avoid Wind resistance by the pack.

It will be evident that, in the case of a forced landing, the landing speed will be quite high so that the wind pressure will be suflicient to operate the parachute without delay.

The bottom of the slide 43 will, by'reason of its engagement with the ground, have a braking effectto some extent, and will also serve as the equivalent of a tail skid.

It should be understood that while the inven could be modified to automatically operate the release. a

The invention'has been described herein more or less precisely as to details, yet it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited thereby, as changes may be made in arrangement ay be scope of .the invention.

I claim as my invention: I

1. An airplane, a mast carried by the tail structure of the airplane, a parachute carried by the mast, a connection between a wing of said airplaneand said mast, whereby stresses incident to operation of the parachute will be carried by said wing, said mast being pivoted to the,tail structure, and means for raising and lowering the mast.

2. An airplane, a parachute carried thereby, and meansfor releasing the parachute to permit the same to open, said means comprising a plunger slidably, and pivotally carried by the airplane, means yieldably urging said plungr downwardly,

a manually releasable device for rendering said effective to release the parachute when the plunger is tilted.

3. An airplane having a fuselage provided with a recess, a mast pivoted thereto forwardly of the airplane rudder and normally lying along the fuselage, a parachute pack secured to the free end of the mast and normally disposed in said recess, means for raising the mast and means for releasing the pack when. the mast is in raised position, said releasing means including a. reciprocable and tiltable member engageable with the ground, means normally retaining said memher in retracted position, spring means connected to said member to move the same downwardly into ground engaging position upon release of said rek i i;

taining means, a rip" cord connecting said member and said pack and actuated upon tilting of said member by engagement of the latter by the ground to release said pack for airplane braking purposes.

4. An airplane having a fuselage provided with a recess, a mast pivoted thereto forwardly of the airplane rudder and normally lying along the fuselage, a parachute pack secured to the free end of the mast and normally disposed in said recess, means for raising the mast and means for releasing the pack when the mast is in raised position, said releasing means including a reciprocable and tiltable member engageable with the ground, means normally retaining said member in retracted position, spring means connected to said member to move the same downwardly into ground engaging position upon release of said retaining means, a rip cord connecting said member and said pack and actuated upon tilting of said member by engagement of the latter by the ground to release said pack for airplane braking purposes, said parachute, when released, being located above and clear of said rudder to obviate interference of the parachute with the action of the rudder.

5. In a device for retarding movement of an airplane on the landing surface upon landing thereon, a parachute supported by the tail structure of the airplane when the parachute is collapsed, and a connection between the upper part of the forward portion of the airplane andthe parachute, whereby stresses incident to opera-' tion of the parachute when open will be carried by said upper part, said parachute, when open, being clear of theair stream to the rudder in order not to interfere with the ability of the rudder to turn the airplane.

6. In an airplane construction of the class described, a parachute for retardingimovernent of the airplane alongtrthe landing surface upon landing of the airplane, and tension means operably connected to the parachute and extending substantially horizontally between the parachute and the upper part of a forward portion of the airplane and connected to said part at a greater elevation than the center of gravity of the airplane, whereby to resist'the tendency of the airplane to nose over and to subject said part to strain incident to the operation of theparachute, said parachute, when open, being clear of the air stream to the rudder in order not to interfere with the ability of the rudder to turn the airplane.

7. A device for retarding movement of an airplane on the surface upon which it has landed. comprising a mast carried by the airplane, parachute means supported by the mast when the parachute means is folded, and a connection extending rearwardly from a wing of the airplane to said parachute means to transmit to said wing stresses due to air pressure on said parachute means as the airplane moves along the landing surface, said parachute means and connection being disposed clear of the air stream to the rudder for all positions of the rudder so as not to interfere with the ability of the rudder to turn' the airplane during such movement.

8. A device for retarding movement of an airplane on the surface upon which it has landed,

- comprising a mast carried by the airplane, parachute means supported by the mast when' the parachute means is folded, and a connection ex-- I tending rearwardly from a wing of the airplane to said parachute means to transmit to said wing stresses due to air pressure on said parachute means as the airplane moves along the landing surface, said parachute means andconnection being disposed clear of the air stream to the rudder for all positions of the rudder so as not to interfere with the ability of the rudder to turn the airplane during such movement, and means rendered operative by the landing of the airplane for enabling the rush of air to operate said parachute means upon such landing of the airplane 9. A device for retarding movement of an airplane on the surface upon which it haslanded, comprising a mast carried by the airplane, parachute means supported by the mast when the parachute means is folded, and a connection extending rearwardly from a wing of the airplane to said parachute means to transmit to said wing stresses due to sin pressure on said parachute means as the airplane moves along the landing surface, said parachutemeans and connection being disposed clear of the air stream to the rudder for all positions of the rudder so as not to interfere with the ability of the rudder to turn the airplane during such movement, means for elevating and lowering said mast, and means rendered operative by the landing of the airplane for enabling the rush of air to operate said parachute means upon such landing ofthe air-,-' 

